Cool Videos: Watch the full length Russian version of The Hobbit from 1985

THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY is part one of a trilogy that will end up spanning over nine hours of film once all three films are released. But, much like the Space Race, the Soviets beat us to the punch getting Tolkien's novel filmed in live action.

Back in 1985, a production of THE HOBBIT titled "The Fabulous Journey of Mr. Bilbo Baggins the Hobbit" was released featuring the core story condensed to less than 90 minutes of film. This streamlined tale eliminates the elves entirely and instead focuses on Bilbo's journey to the Lonely Mountain. The results are surreal but easy to follow even if you don't speak Russian.

It is interesting to see such a low budget take on a sprawling epic like THE HOBBIT and still finding visual similarities between it and Peter Jackson's big budget studio picture. Check out the full length feature below.